This antibody is specific for folate binding protein isolated from milk. Cross reactivity with folate binding proteins from other sources has not been determined. Soluble folate binding protein from milk serves to accumulate and stabilize reduced folate compounds in the milk and aid in the absorbtion of folates by the intestinal mucosa of neonates.
Folate Binding Protein, has a high affinity for folic acid and for several reduced folic acid derivatives and mediates delivery of 5 methyltetrahydrofolate to the interior of cells. Membrane bound and soluble forms of a high affinity folate binding protein have been found in kidney, placenta, serum, milk, and in several cell lines. The 2 forms have similar binding characteristics for folates, are immunologically crossreactive, and, based upon limited amino acid sequence data, are nearly identical. There may be a precursor product relationship between the membrane and soluble forms, the membrane form having additional amino acid residues and greater molecular weight. The membrane form has been shown to mediate the transport of folate in cells grown in physiologic concentrations of folate. A function for the soluble form, which is found in serum, milk, and urine, has not been identified.Synonyms: Adult folate-binding protein, FOLR, FOLR1, FR-alpha, Folate receptor 1, KB cells FBP, MOv18, Ovarian tumor-associated antigen MOv18